You have likely been told numerous times how fatal sugar can be to your oral health. Everybody is a fan of sugary treats and they can be difficult to give up, however, you’re missing out on key benefits.
Along with this, even though sugar may seem harmless, it’s actually problematic for those who consume a diet that is high in sugar. The impact of sugar triggers off a series of other oral health complications where, if manifested through the bloodstream, it can have fatal consequences to your general health and would require emergency dentistry treatment.
Lets breakdown how sugar manifests itself to damage your teeth.
Sugar and Bacteria
Bacteria live inside the mouth. Consuming a high sugar diet introduces more harmful bacteria that can trigger the process of tooth decay and reduce the minerals that your enamel needs. Your enamel is the protective outer layer of your tooth that protects your smile.
When consuming sugar, the molecules combine with saliva to produce harmful bacteria inside the mouth. This introduces a sticky pale substance called plaque. Plaque sticks to your teeth and dissolves the enamel, introducing damaging properties that cause a hole in the centre of a tooth, known as a cavity.
Cavity is one of the first stages of tooth decay. The higher penetration of harmful bacteria can lead to acid attacks, causing sensitivity and potential tooth loss.
Sugar and Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is caused by the harmful bacteria formed through the food and drink that contains high levels of sugar. The harmful bacteria combine with plaque and sugar to release acid inside the mouth. This gradually dissolves the enamel and can damage your tooth structure.
If you’re consuming the following food and drink, you’re likely to expose your mouth to tooth decay.
- Candy Sweets – If you’re a fan of sugar candy, then the damage to your teeth can become severe. Not only does candy contain high levels of sugar, but they are chewy. This means they’re more likely to become stuck on teeth and trigger bacteria build-up.
- Alcohol – Many people like an alcoholic beverage or two, but it is advised to be consumed in moderation. Alcohol not only contains sugar to trigger tooth decay, but it can also cause dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when there is low saliva production, and saliva is a vital tool to protect your enamel from harmful bacteria.
- Soda and Wine – Even if sodas contain the word “diet”, this doesn’t mean it’s free from sugar. Drinking sodas produces plaque and acid build-up to attack your enamel. Wine also contains the same properties and you’re more likely to stain your teeth in the long term.
- Citrus – Oranges, grapefruits and lemons are tasty fruits but are not the healthiest. The acid content is high and can dissolve the enamel, exposing your teeth to decay. Only consider a few droplets of these fruits with water to consume some vitamin C, but ensure you’re not consuming these citrus fruits as a snack.
What You Eat Matters
It’s easy to think that sugar won’t have a harmful impact on your oral health, but it does. Therefore, what your mouth consumes matters. Consider reducing your sugar content gradually and replace the content with minerals that will help strengthen and protect your teeth from decay, such as calcium and fibre. This is one key step out of many you can adopt in your lifestyle to produce good bacteria in the mouth. These properties are vital in keeping enamel strong and protecting your smile. You should also be aware of consuming sugar after wisdom tooth removal, as this can impact recovery.
Are you seeking advice on the best ways to protect your smile? Contact our experienced Lotus dental team today for essential advice on oral hygiene and lifestyle habits that can change your life today.